Melmark Congratulates Kaitlyn Cashin! Our July Employee of the Month

A Monthly Newsletter for the Melmark Community

July 2013

$500 Referral BonusIf you know someone who would make an exceptional member of the Melmark team, tell them about our upcoming Employee Open House. We’re looking for motivated and caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of children and adults with intellec-tual and developmental disabilities. An existing Melmark employee will receive $250 when the new hire is here for three months and another $250 when the new hire is here for one year. You can refer new hires all year long!

Save the Date! Employee Open House

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 and Wednesday, October 30, 2013 from time 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Remember to fill out the pink employee referral form, found in Human Resources, before the new hire begins at Melmark.

Ask anyone who has had the pleasure of working with Kaitlyn, and they will tell you she is kind, team-spirited and always has a smile on her face. Kaitlyn’s supervisors and coworkers describe her as always putting everyone’s needs above her own. She is quick to adjust to new plans and

goals, and is always looking for ways to improve existing ones.

Kaitlyn demonstrates a lot of patience and commitment; she spent several months training with one particular student to help the student achieve one of his goals of becoming more independent.

Kaitlyn is always friendly, polite, and positive when interacting with coworkers, supervisors and Melmark families. Even in the face of the multiple staffing, scheduling, and roster changes

her classroom has gone through in recent weeks, Kaitlyn remains positive. When interacting with students’ families, whether it is in the drop off/pick up line, or on the phone, Kaitlyn is professional and approachable.

Kaitlyn’s supervisors respect her, and her peers look up to her for her meaningful contributions and thoughtful suggestions regarding student programming. Kaitlyn frequently shares ideas and suggestions on how to foster independence in various skills with our students. When making a suggestion, Kaitlyn presents her idea in a respectful manner and welcomes further conversation about the topic, which creates a positive, collaborative discussion and helps ensure the best possible plan is implemented for the students’ benefit.

Kaitlyn recently became a peer mentor and was just assigned her first mentee. Her supervisor has great confidence that Kaitlyn will show mentees how to face challenges with the same smile and sense of humor that Kaitlyn shows every day.

Special Savings for You!

Please join us in congratulating Kaitlyn on being named our July Employee of the Month!

Dorney Park & Wild Water Kingdom Use the Melmark Promo Code to get discounted tickets to Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom in Allentown.

Here’s how:

Visit www.dorneypark.com At the top of the home page, enter promo code: melmark

Then simply purchase and print your tickets, and enjoy your visit!

One-Day Regular Admission

Ages 3-61, 48” or taller in shoes $36.00

One-Day Jr. / Sr. Admission

Ages 3-61, under 48” in shoes or Age 62 or Older $27.00

First experiences can be exhilirating and frightening at the same time. Think back to the first time you had to speak in front of an audience; the first time you took a major test; or your first job interview. If you’re like most of us, you were probably nervous, but you went through with it anyway because you knew the end result was worth it.

This ability to overcome the fear of a new experience is one of the many reasons I am so proud of The Joybells of Melmark for their Phillies game performance. The Joybells have performed for a number of audiences,

both large and small. But on Saturday, July 13th, they had the opportunity of a lifetime: performing the National Anthem in front of more than 40,000 baseball fans at Citizens Bank Ballpark. If you were not able to attend the game to see and hear The Joybells perform, I urge you to watch the video on our Facebook page and website. These men and women played beautifully, putting any fears or nervous energy aside. They represented Melmark, as well as all people with disabilities, as a group of talented, team-oriented individuals who can overcome any challenge life throws their way. What better ambassadors could one ask for?

Congratulations to each member of The Joybells for this amazing performance.

Miss Maine Invitational Talent ShowMelmark held the annual Miss Maine Invitational Talent Show on Saturday, July 27th. Clients, families and staff welcomed newly crowned contestants from Maine, New Hampshire, Missouri, Connecticut, Hawaii and District of Columbia.

The event kicked off with a talent show in Melmark’s Multi-Purpose Center and was followed by an autograph session. Afterward, each contestant joined members of The Meadows Program for a luncheon and swim party.

We thank these young women for participating in this annual event and wish each luck as they compete for the title of Miss America on Sunday, September 15th at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

A Message from Our President Joanne Gillis-Donovan, Ph.D.

More photos from The Miss Maine Invitational can be viewed on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/MelmarkPA

The Joybells of Melmark performed the National Anthem at the Phillies game on Saturday, July 13th at Citizens Bank Ballpark. The Joybells have performed since the early 1970s on television and at The White House, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion and the Kimmel Center. The group has also held concerts at churches, schools, colleges and corporate/community events, from Maine to Florida and throughout the Midwest. This was their first performance at a Phillies game.

Melmark President and CEO, Joanne Gillis-Donovan, Ph.D. says this was a wonderful opportunity, not only for The Joybells, but also for Phillies fans and players. “We are so grateful to the Phillies for selecting these men and women to perform the National Anthem,” said Gillis-Donovan. “These adults have incredible talent, and being able to share those talents with the more than 40,000 fans, players and Phillies staff in Citizens Bank Ballpark was just amazing. Our mission at Melmark is to highlight the abilities of those we serve when, too often, people focus on their disabilities. The Joybells always capture the hearts of their audience and gently open their eyes to the many similarities we all share, regardless of our ability level.” We are so proud of each member of The Joybells for their beautiful and moving performance.”

Photos from The Joybells’ performance at the Phillies game have been printed in The Delaware County Daily Times, The Main Line Times and Main Line Suburban Life. The photo gallery and video of the full performance has been viewed and shared by more than 10,000 Facebook fans. To see the pictures and video, visit www.facebook.com/melmarkpa.

Phillies Game Performanceof MELMARK

After a number of months of intense advocacy by human service providers and negotiations by the legislators, the Pennsylvania budget was passed, with specific outstanding issues. There are a few areas that are associated with the budget that were not resolved at the time the budget package was approved, including expansion of Medicaid (area of importance for the disability community). These areas will need to be reviewed again by the legislature.

The following is a summary of budget figures for areas that impact Melmark, courtesy of Policy Information Exchange / Arc of PA:

The Governor signed the $28.375B state budget bill for FY13/14 a few hours before the June 30th deadline. This is actually a spending increase of $645M (2.3%) over FY12/13.

Department of Public Welfare

Intellectual Disability Waivers: State funding is increased by $19.867M which includes:

• $14M for 380 people on the counties emergency waiting list

• $4.5M for 700 graduates from special education programs

• $1.4M for 100 people who currently reside in a state Intellectual Disability Center

Autism: The final budget includes an increase in state funds of $1.497M to serve an additional 118 people

Community Base Funding Intellectual Disabilities: There’s a small reduction in base funding.

Human Services Block Grant: This block grant was created in FY12/13 and currently exists in 20 counties. It combines funds into one block grant and gives the county flexibility on how the money is spent for a number of categories. A 10% cut remains in this budget, so effectively this represents level funding from FY 12/13. There is still a desire by some in the legislature to expand the block grant model to more counties even though the effectiveness of the first year’s implementation has not been deteremined.

Department of Education

Special Education: Special education is again level-funded. This is year six of level funding.

Approved Private Schools: Approved Private Schools are level-funded.

ADVOCACY CORNER

Written by Chris Tabakin

Show Me the Money!

Newtown Square Fire Chief, Doug Simpson, along with NSFC firefighters visited the children and adults at Melmark this month. The firefighters talked to everyone about fire safety, answering their questions and offering tips to keep them calm and safe in case of an emergency. Students and adults had the opportunity to try on firefighting gear and climb into the trucks. Everyone had a wonderful time. Melmark thanks the men and women of the Newtown Square Fire Company for all they do to keep us all safe and secure.

The Newtown Square Fire Company Visits Melmark

Chief Simpson demonstrates new equipment in the truckDom poses for a photo in front of the fire truck

Grand Prize Winner: Rebecca Zelonis – I-pod Shuffle

Raffle Prize Winners:Niki Buckner -Bag with TowelSharon Formento- Ladderball gameHaja Tunkara-$30 Target gift cardSarahanne Beegle- $25 Gift CardSenait Tseguy- $ 25 gift card Olive GardenSeinab Adekanmbi-$ 25 Regal movieAshley Mottola- Beach party comboRocco Gambone- Croquets and BocceLouise O’Donnell- $25 PF ChangsMaryam Rasheed- $25 AMC gift cardVanessa Strout- BBQ GrillSheina Pinard- McKinney- Picnic BasketKady Gahman- $ 25 itunes Gift CardJohn Allie- BBQ setAdenike Ademuwagun- Outback $25 gift cardMoses Kiamu- BlanketSharon King - Beverage stand

if you have not received your free cooler, please speak to your supervisor. The gifts are being distributed to the campus and community homes by your supervisor.

Melmark Volunteers

Employee Appreciation Day

This month, we extend a special thank you to all the volunteers who help in so many ways at Melmark. From working alongside the children and adults we serve to weeding the garden - the photos below show some of this month’s volunteers.

Melmark’s Human Resources Department organized the 2013 Employee Appreciation Day, held on July 11th. We had a day filled with fun, complimentary lunch (served by our leadership team), free coolers, music, refreshments, games and a raffle! This is our way of saying thank you for everything you do to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve and for your committed dedication to make Melmark The Center of Excellence it is known as.

Below is a list of Employee Appreciation Day raffle prize winners, as well as our grand prize winner. Each was chosen at random.

Volunteers from Janssen Biotech work in the Meadows GardenJordan helping Joy with a project at the Meadows

Heat Safety

The Southeast Region of Pennsylvania is experiencing one of the hottest summers on record with Philadelphia claiming the second hottest July and at least six confirmed heat waves, and we’re only half-way through the summer!

it’s vital to remember the potential dangers of heat in cars. Moving or parked, heat in cars poses a constant threat to the health and safety of people and pets. When it’s hot outside, the temperature in a car interior can reach dangerous and often fatal levels in a matter of minutes. Keep in mind a car is basically a metal box, and the hot sun can turn this metal box into an oven. When outside temperatures reach 93 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperatures inside a car can reach 125 degrees in just 20 minutes and 140 degrees in 40 minutes, even if a window is cracked. A car parked in direct sunlight can reach 131- 172 degrees Fahrenheit, even after only fifteen minutes. At that temperature, it only takes a matter of minutes for people and pets to die or suffer permanent disability.(North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, 1999)

Whenever a heat advisory or warning has been issued, please ensure the following recommendations are being fulfilled for people you support:

• Never leave anyone in a parked car.• Know people. if they have had a history of heat-related illness, they are at risk for future incidents.• Develop and institute heat safety checks for high-risk people (those who use medications, have medical conditions, may

be dependent on others for fluids/food, communication limitations) or those who live alone or have limited hours of support.

• Stay indoors and avoid extreme temperature changes. if the home does not have air conditioning, suggest going to a shopping mall, movies or public library -- even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

• if air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine and keep electric fans running but remember to keep the door or window open to the outside. While fans do NOT cool air, they move the air around and keep you cool by evaporating your sweat.

• Drink cool liquids often, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty, to help your body stay cool.• Avoid alcoholic beverages, which dehydrate the body. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four

glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.• Eat small, frequent meals. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.• if you must go out, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect the sun's energy.• Slow down, avoid strenuous outdoor activity. if you must engage in strenuous activity, limit exposure

during mid-day hours.• Cover all exposed skin with a high SPF sunscreen, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face

and head.• Drink plenty of fluids even after sun exposure.• After being in the extreme heat, cool yourself or the person you are caring for in a tub of cool water, cool shower, or

sponge the person with cool water.• Know the symptoms of heat disorders and overexposure to the sun, and be ready to give first aid.

[Source: CDC]www.parenthood.com/article-topics/summer_car_safety.htmlwww.weather.com/outlook/wxready/articles/id-68

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Take Back Control of Your Life: How to Stop OvereatingHunger is an innate response our body produces to let us know when we need nutrients and fuel to keep running. As babies we learn to eat when we are hungry and to stop when we are content. The buffering

mechanism in our bodies that lets us know when we should be done eating often turns off as we get older. Eating just enough gets thrown out the window as we become exposed to advertising, visual cues in our environment, culture, convenience, fad diets, and the use of food as a reward.

in a Pew Study, six out of ten Americans admitted to eating more than they should. They also reported that convenience was their main reason for eating junk food. it turns out, if food is unavailable or inconvenient, we eat less. in another study, a cafeteria put free ice cream in a visible location. On some days they left the cooler open, on others they left the cooler lid closed. On days the lid was open, diners had ice cream 30% of the time, on days when the lid was closed, they only took it 14% of the time. Seems simple…right?

Take Away:Don’t buy it or you will eat it!

Visual cues typically help us determine what we have left to eat or what we want to eat. if you learned the behavior of ‘cleaning your plate’ as a child, then you will probably use this to judge when you are finished eating, rather than fullness. Visibility of food will often result in eating. One study found that secretaries were 71% more likely to reach into a clear candy bowl than a white or colored one.

Take Away:Don’t leave food items out unless you plan on snacking all day!

Distractions such as TV, computers, reading, or being hurried may cause mindless eating. interruption in our focus on eating will make us more likely to eat more.

Take Away:Give your meal full attention, or portion out how much you are going to eat ahead of time!

As with all facets of life, society has a play on what and how much we consume. if you are dining with someone who makes healthy choices, you will be more likely to do the same. if you are dining with someone who chooses to have an appetizer, large meal and dessert, you will be more likely to join in on the fun.

Take Away:If you chose something less healthy, then split a meal. Order and drink a couple cups of water prior to a meal to fill you up. Plan what you will eat prior to meeting a friend…and stick to it!

Take back control of you life!

Written by Desiree Gaunt, Coordinator of Physical Health

STANDING OVATION AWARDS

EMPLOyEE POSiTiON EMPLOyEE POSiTiON

Babatunde Adebule ABA Counselor, Vocational Michelle Hilferty ABA Counselor, Education

Emeka Anosike ABA Counselor, Residential Monica Hilferty ABA Counselor, Education

Anyika Nefertari ABA Counselor, Residential Jones Comfort ibare ABA Counselor, Vocational

Juan Araujo Asst. Dir. Staff of Development Jennifer Jacotin ABA Counselor, Residential

Stacey Atiyeh ABA Counselor, Education Allen Jones ABA Counselor, Residential

Christy Baldwin ABA Counselor, Education Heather Kalodner Residential Operations Coordinator

Meagan Birmingham Vocational instructor Amara Kamara ABA Counselor, Residential

Heather Blevins Physical Therapist Barnabas Kerkula Residential Aide, Children

Nicholas Boss ABA Counselor, Education Gertrude Koroma ABA Counselor, Education

Vaa Brewer ABA Counselor, Residential Lisa Latoche Program Manager

Elizabeth Burckley Curriculum Development Coordinator Avid Lordgooei PT Technician

David Campbell ABA Counselor, Residential Susan Margolis Office Manager

Krystina Maria Cassidy Program Manager Latida Markland ABA Counselor, Education

Lynn Childs ABA Counselor, Education Amanda Marr ABA Counselor, Education

Heather Cloud Program Specialist,Voc. Residential Tiana McLeod Health Services Specialist

Abdul Cole ABA Counselor, Residential Kylee Merendino Research & Clinical Specialist

Steven Colestock Recruiter iris Miller ABA Counselor, Residential

Mohamed Daffia ABA Counselor, Education Krystin Montoro ABA Counselor, Education

Lauren DiLullo ABA Counselor, Education Suzanne Muench Dir. of Admissions & Family Services

Victor Dorbor ABA Counselor, Vocational Charles Myers HRiS Administrator

Elizabeth Douglas Asst. Dir. of iCF / MR Programs KellyAnn Najmola Teacher

Lindsay Dragon ABA Counselor, Education Kimberly O’Connor Admin. Asst. to the Executive Director of Children’s Services

Kelli Drayton ABA Counselor, Residential Aashlee Paris ABA Counselor, Residential

Sedeke Dukuly ABA Counselor, Residential Nathalie Richard ABA Counselor, Residential

Kady Gahman Residential Support Specialist Jennifer Rodgers Dir. Education Services

Jessica Garrison Behavior Specialist Jaclyn Ruffing ABA Counselor, Vocational

Rebecca Garrison Admin. Assist. Advancement / Marketing Sarah Schoener ABA Counselor, Vocational

Desiree Gaunt Coordinator of Physical Health Mary Segraves ABA Counselor, Education

Michele Giannakopoulos ABA Counselor, Education Adedeji Sodunke ABA Counselor, Residential

Andrew Grasso ABA Counselor, Residential Jessica Stelma Human Resources Manager

William Green ABA Counselor, Residential Erin Thompson ABA Counselor, Vocational

Katie Haberman Teacher Laura Turner Equine Aide

Brian Haney Dir. of Children’s RTF Tanisha Winfield ABA Counselor, Residential

Shena Hardmon ABA Counselor, Vocational ibrahim yillah ABA Counselor, Residential

Erin Harrison ABA Counselor, Residential Rebecca Zelonis ABA Counselor, Vocational

Alexandra Held Vocational instructor

Happy 50th birthday to Melmark resident, Mark!

Mark recently celebrated his big day among friends and family

who brought him a cake, balloons and gifts.

EMPLOyEE NAME POSiTiON LOCATiON HiRE DATE

NEW HIRES

LaShay Brown

Marc Drake

Jacoburg Grear

Stacie-Ann Green

Siweh Harris

Joanel Johnson

LaVerne Nixon

Steven Payne

Zafey Teweldeberhan

Saskia Volcy

Lauren Saunders

Kwanzaa Albert

Manegoe Borfay

Sherona Geary

Tonya Hemsley

Theophyllis Kamu

Katie Klucharich

Diedra Love

Alice Ogunti

Garnell Washington

Harriet Wisseh

Ashley Bastone

Marpu Biawogei

Barbara Bracewell

Miyah Campbell

Shaun Davidson

Jennifer Denby

Michelle Fagan

Victoria Hayes

Shane Kennedy

Aaron King

Alicia Long

Ellen Mansfield

Andrea Moore

Boakai Roberts

Vah Seville

Tanea Stokes

Hamed Swarray

Brandon Thornton

Congratulations...

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Adult Community

Radnor Crossing

Carriage

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Valleyview

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The Melmark School

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Widener

Adult Community

Miller B

Martha

The Melmark School

Adult Campus

Melissa A

The Barn

Melissa A

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Martha

The Melmark School

Rosary Lane

The Melmark School

Charleston Greene

Schoemaker RTF

Matthew

Adult Community

Rosary Lane

Charleston Greene

Development

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Carriage

Melissa B

The Melmark School

Engle iCF

Adult Campus

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Staff Reaching 90 Days of Employment

Aigner Allen

Stacey Atiyeh

Asaad Brown

Salema Davis

Sandra Jean-Baptiste

Jerome Knowling

Aytiah Love

Crystal Lysius

Madeleine Manda

Jessica Nolan

Kaitlin Petersen

Joseph Prussien

Adedeji Sodunke

Alburt Sweetwine

Marie Tetteh

Tianna Tucker

Wanda Watson

Christine Weiss

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Licensed Practical Nurse

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